The roles of PD-1/PD-L1 in the prognosis and immunotherapy of prostate cancer

Mol Ther. 2021 Jun 2;29(6):1958-1969. doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.04.029. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Abstract

Multiple studies have confirmed that programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting PD-1/PD-L1 play pivotal roles in the treatment of numerous tumors. Patients suffering from cancer are provided hope in the form of immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the finding that high PD-L1 expression is associated with poor clinical outcomes in prostate cancer patients. Some molecules exert their antitumor effects by downregulating PD-L1 expression in prostate cancer. Additionally, we discuss and summarize the important roles played by anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy and its combination with other drugs, including chemotherapy and vaccines, in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Keywords: PD-1; PD-L1; immunotherapy; prostate cancer; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • B7-H1 Antigen / genetics
  • B7-H1 Antigen / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Development
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Janus Kinases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Prognosis
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / genetics
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / etiology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CD274 protein, human
  • Interleukin-6
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Janus Kinases